Many residents in the downtown area where Elizabeth lives call her “Granny,” while others know her as Liz.

My friend Bracken Mayo with the PULSE newspaper called me and said a woman who people call Granny is often seen walking around the local square or sitting on people’s porches, taking their flowers and singing. He said, “We need to find Granny.” That being said, the search started at 2:00 on Tuesday afternoon and quickly ended around 2:10… Granny was located.

Her small duplex stands out with plastic and silk flowers planted in her landscaping and a make shift flag that reads “God Loves Everybody, Amen.” The flag is made out of an old towel and held to a curtain rod with Band-Aids. This is her second handmade banner of sorts as the first one was vandalized.

And then there is Granny. A frail woman in her late 60’s wearing a single cross from her neck.

When we spoke to Liz, aka Granny, she told us she has had two strokes, but was quite thankful for each. When asked why, she told us because God gave her the ability to sing after the strokes. She then sang her favorite gospel song to us.

When asked details about the stroke she told us that she was in the hospital for 33-weeks. “At one point, they strapped me down to the bed” she said with concern on her face.

Granny later invited us into her small two room home showing off her book collection of borrowed books, each a novel filled with romance. She then told us about how she longed to hear from her daughters whom she has not talked to in five years. “I want to see those grandchildren [pointing at a photo],” she said. She told us they have her phone number and she doesn’t know why they haven’t called? Her youngest daughter lives in LasVegas, she repeated with a sad look on her face.

Before we left she sat down on her sofa in the small living room without a radio or a TV and said again, “I love to sing… I can’t wait to sing in front of God,” as she looked up and started to cry.

I think we will visit her again and bring her a little joy. Perhaps dinner and some flowers?